Network Maintenance & Construction Technician - (Ketchikan, AK)

GCI Communication Corp•Ketchikan, AK

About The Position

GCI's Network Maintenance & Construction Technician will represent the company by providing outstanding customer service to current and prospective clients exploring our products and services, including those interested in upgrades or expansions. Perform professional and efficient installations and servicing of telecommunications solutions, including video, high-speed data, and voice products, in both residential and commercial settings. Oversee system-wide maintenance and quality control of network signal processing, proactively troubleshooting and resolving issues such as transmission discrepancies, signal loss, interference, and equipment malfunctions. Conduct comprehensive network analysis and maintain headend systems to ensure optimal performance. Safeguard the integrity of outside plant infrastructure, ensuring reliability and efficiency in service delivery.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a technical telecommunications role or a related field
At least one (1) year of experience in heavy equipment operation and excavation.
At least one (1) year of experience in cable splicing.
At least one (1) year of experience in power supply maintenance or a related maintenance role.
At least one (1) year of experience in aerial and underground construction, including cable fault location testing.
Must be certified in NAZ power safety training or obtain certification within one (1) year of hire.
Upon hiring, candidates may be required to successfully complete specific certifications and training courses within a designated timeframe, such as Defensive Driving, Company Online Installer, Pole Climbing, AK DOT Bucket Truck, and AK DOT approved Flagger Certification.
Must possess a current passport or obtain one upon hiring.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.
May be required to obtain a commercial driver’s license within six (6) months of employment.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Electronics or a related field, completion of a telecommunications trade school, or equivalent training.
Telecommunications experience.
Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.
Knowledge of telephone/RF standards, safety codes and terminology as it relates to service orders, repairs tickets, and materials for residential installations and repair desired.

Responsibilities

Aerial & Underground Construction Operations: Execute and support a variety of aerial and underground projects, including cable installation, relocation, and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, while strictly adhering to safety protocols and construction standards.
Heavy Equipment Operations: Operate heavy machinery such as backhoes, trenchers, and excavators for excavation, foundation laying, and construction tasks. Ensure compliance with Alyeska badging requirements, including mandatory random drug screenings for access to restricted areas.
Quality Assurance & Operational Acceptance: Lead quality control initiatives during construction and repair phases, ensuring that all work aligns with operational standards for signal processing and infrastructure integrity.
Excavation & Restoration: Oversee and perform excavation work to facilitate cable installations and ensure restoration of sites to their original condition with minimal disruption.
Cable Splicing (Copper, Fiber, Coax): Perform precise splicing of copper, fiber optic, and coaxial cables for both new construction and repair efforts, upholding the highest standards of workmanship in telecommunications networks.
Submarine Cable Operations Support: Provide comprehensive support for submarine cable systems, performing Power Safety Assurance in accordance with optical safety standards, including North American Zone (NAZ) requirements. Conduct OTDR testing to identify faults, assess splice loss, and re-establish connections, documenting results throughout the repair process. May require to boarding vessels to act as GCI on-site operations observer.
Power Supply Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance and repairs on AC/DC power supplies, including battery replacements. Install power supply equipment and cabling for new deployments and respond to power outages and deploy generators when necessary.
Tree Trimming & Pole Removal: Safely trim trees and remove wooden poles to prevent interference with aerial lines and maintain network integrity.
Flagger Certification & Traffic Control: Implement effective traffic control measures during construction, excavation, or road-based operations to ensure the safety of workers and the public. Maintain flagger certification as required.
CDL & Heavy Vehicle Operations: Operate heavy vehicles to transport materials and equipment to various job sites, ensuring compliance with commercial driving regulations and performing routine vehicle maintenance.
Procurement & Harmonic Fiber Transport Equipment: Assist in sourcing equipment and materials essential for construction and repair, with a focus on Harmonic Fiber Transport systems for signal transmission.
Field Engineering & Network Support: Perform field engineering tasks, including troubleshooting system issues, responding to alarms, and replacing failed equipment such as cards and chassis. Conduct light repairs to maintain core network infrastructure while collaborating with vendors and remote support staff.
Network Continuity & Maintenance: Ensure the uninterrupted operation of RF, microwave, fiber optic, AC/DC, and HFC networks through regular maintenance, testing, and monitoring. Execute balancing, sweeping, and aligning tasks to maintain proof of performance.
Mentorship & Team Leadership: Provide guidance to junior technicians by assisting with advanced tasks and offering mentorship on the installation, testing, and repair of telecommunications systems.
Customer Service & Equipment Installation: Install, service, and troubleshoot telecommunications equipment, addressing both analog and digital systems for video, voice, and data from tap or demarcation points to customer premises.
Execute basic construction, installation, routine preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, testing, and repairs of facilities delivering video, voice, and data services.
Assess field conditions and conducts tests and measurements to evaluate signal quality.
Manage semi-routine maintenance tasks and repairs, identify deviations from accepted practices, and consult with senior staff to confirm appropriate next steps.
Organize daily workloads effectively and utilize industry- standard test equipment, hand tools, and heavy machinery for the installation, maintenance, and repair of services and facilities.
Perform essential preventative and corrective maintenance tasks, underground cable locating, outage response, rewiring or upgrading facilities, cabling, impairment mitigation, system drive-off, and repairs.
Coordinate with SMC or Dispatch to update and resolve repair or trouble tickets efficiently.
Assist with new installations and address trouble tickets promptly to ensure timely delivery.
Verify the accuracy of written work orders, discrepancies, collect payments and customer signatures, and ensure all documentation is updated promptly.
Escalate more complex issues to the appropriate department or management team as necessary.
Collaborate with senior technicians to address outages and perform other necessary duties as required.